Air transport lies at the heart of global business and tourism. Through its speed, convenience and affordability, air transport has expanded the possiblities of world travel for tourists and business travellers alike, allowing an ever greater number of people to experience diversity of geography, climate, culture and markets. Tourism, both for business and leisure purposes, makes a large contribution to the Norwegian economy, with foreign visitors spending just under Kr 27.9 billion in the Norwegian economy each year17. Approximately 44% (Chart 3.6), so that passengers who arrive by air probably spend over Kr 12.2 billion in Norway

Aviation has a significant footprint in Norways economy, supporting 2.0% of Norwegian GDP and 61,000 jobs or 2.4% of the Norwegian workforce. Including the sectors contribution to the tourism industry, these figures rise to 2.6% of Norwegian GDP and 81,000 jobs, or 3.2% of the workforce. Also significant is the fact that these are high productivity jobs. The annual value added (or GVA) by each employee in air transport services in Norway is Kr 995,539, over 20% higher than the Norwegian average of Kr 816,150.Norwegian airlines are to be found in customer welfare and in the part these airlines play in providing the connectivity infrastructure between Norway and overseas cities and markets.